Solar panel sun-tracing equipment

ABSTRACT

A solar panel sun-tracing equipment includes a support stand unit comprising multiple stands, an axle holder pivotally supported on the stands and a plurality of transverse rods pivotally mounted in the elongated axle holder, a plurality of solar panels supported on the transverse rod, and a power drive comprising a first driving mechanism operable to move the elongated axle holder in biasing the solar panels in the X-axis direction and a second driving mechanism operable to move the elongated axle holder in biasing the solar panels in the Y-axis direction.

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan patent application number 100200890, filed on Jan. 14, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to solar panel mounting technology and more particularly, to a solar panel sun-tracing equipment, which has simple structure, low cost and high reliability characteristics and, which uses a support stand unit to support solar panels, a first driving mechanism for biasing the solar panels in the X-axis direction and a second driving mechanism for biasing the solar panels in the Y-axis direction.

2. Description of the Related Art

Green living is a healthy and eco-friendly living manner the government should promote. It is known that thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases and is re-radiated in all directions, causing a greenhouse effect and rise in temperature of the earth. Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), chlorofluorocarbons (CF_(X)Cl_(X)) and many other vehicle discharged gases enhances the greenhouse effect. Thus, many countries around the work are trying hard to find substitute energies for electric power. Substitute energies include biomass energy, wind power, water power, solar energy and etc. Solar energy has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar energy accounts for most of the available renewable energy on earth.

Further, the motion of the sun, caused by the rotation of the Earth on its own axis, changes the angle at which the light will strike the Earth. Many sun-tracing devices have been created for use in a solar power system for tracing the direction of the sun. These sun-tracing devices enable the solar panels of the solar power system to be biased subject to the direction of the sun. However, these sun-tracing devices commonly have the drawbacks of complicated structure and high manufacturing cost. Further, because the solar panels of a solar power system are heavy and will bear wind resistance during application, the sun-tracing device used in this solar power system must be strong enough to bear wind resistance and the heavy weight of the solar panels so that the solar panels can be constantly kept in balance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a solar panel sun-tracing equipment, which has simple structure, low cost and high reliability characteristics.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a solar panel sun-tracing equipment comprises a support stand unit, a plurality of solar panels and a power drive. The support stand unit comprises a first stand and at least one second stand, each of the first stand and the at least one second stand comprising an axle block located on the top side thereof, an elongated axle holder pivotally supported on the axle blocks of the stands and a plurality of transverse rods pivotally mounted in the elongated axle holder and spaced along the length of the elongated axle holder. The solar panels are respectively supported on the transverse rods and symmetrically disposed at two opposite lateral sides relative to the elongated axle holder. The power drive comprises a first driving mechanism adapted for rotating the elongated axle holder to bias the solar panels in the X-axis direction and a second driving mechanism adapted for rotating the transverse rods to bias the solar panels in the Y-axis direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique bottom elevation of a solar panel sun-tracing equipment in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of Part A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a part of the solar panel sun-tracing equipment in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the solar panel sun-tracing equipment in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of Part B of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 4, illustrating the biasing direction of the solar panels upon operation of the first driving mechanism.

FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG, 4, illustrating the biasing direction of the solar panels upon operation of the second driving mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an oblique elevation of a part of a solar panel sun-tracing equipment in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an oblique elevation of a part of a solar panel sun-tracing equipment in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1˜5, a solar panel sun-tracing equipment in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising a support stand unit 1, a power drive 2, and a plurality of solar panels 3.

The support stand unit 1 comprises a plurality of stands 11. Each stand 11 has an axle block 111 located on the top side thereof. The axle block 111 at one stand 11 has a pivot hole 1111. The axle block 111 at each other stand 11 comprises two circular arc cambers 1113 bilaterally disposed at the top side thereof and an axle bearing 1112 disposed in between the two circular arc cambers 1113. The support stand unit 1 further comprises an elongated axle holder 12 rotatably supported on the axle blocks 111 of the stands 11. The elongated axle holder 12 comprises a longitudinal channel 120, a plurality of transverse openings 1201 extending across the longitudinal channel 120 at predetermined locations, a plurality of bearing blocks 1202 respectively disposed in the longitudinal channel 120 corresponding to the transverse openings 1201, and a plurality of supporting blocks 123 respectively disposed in the longitudinal channel 120 and spaced from one another along the longitudinal channel 120 at a predetermined distance, each supporting block 123 having two transverse through holes 1231 disposed at two opposite lateral sides thereof, a plurality of transverse rods 122 respectively mounted in the transverse through holes 1231 of the supporting blocks 123, each transverse rod 122 having a protruded actuating portion 1221, and a plurality of brackets 1222 respectively fastened to the two opposite ends of each of the transverse rods 122 for supporting the solar panels 3.

Further, the elongated axle holder 12 comprises a pivot pin 121 axially extended from its one end and pivotally coupled to the pivot hole 1111 of the axle block 111 at one stand 11, and its other end pivotally coupled to the axle bearings 1112 of the axle blocks 111 at the other stands 11 by means of the bearing blocks 1202. Thus, the elongated axle holder 12 can be biased relative to the stands 11 of the support stand unit 1.

When biasing the elongated axle holder 12 relative to the axle block 111 of the stands 11 of the support stand unit 1, the design of the transverse openings 1201 prevents interference of the circular arc cambers 1113 of the axle block 111 of the respective stand 11 with the biasing of the elongated axle holder 12. Further, subject to the arrangement of the bearing blocks 1202 in the longitudinal channel 120 and coupling of the bearing blocks 1202 to the axle bearings 1112 of the axle blocks 111 at the other stands 11, the stands 11 can positively bear the weight of the solar panels 3.

Further, each stand 11 can be formed of one single post or multiple posts. Further, any other support designs can be used to substitute for the stands 11 for supporting the elongated axle holder 12.

The aforesaid power drive 2 comprises a first driving mechanism 21 and a second driving mechanism 22. The first driving mechanism 21 comprises a motor mount 211 mounted in the axle block 111 of one stand 11 of the support stand unit 1, a first transmission gear box 214 affixed to the motor mount 211, a first reciprocating rod 2141 coupled to and axially movable in and out of the first transmission gear box 214, a first motor 213 fixedly mounted on the motor mount 211 and coupled with the transmission gear of the first transmission gear box 214 and operable to move the first reciprocating rod 2141 in and out of the first transmission gear box 214, and a curved link 212 having one end thereof pivotally connected to the distal end of the first reciprocating rod 2141 by a pivot 2121 and an opposite end thereof fixedly connected with the elongated axle holder 12. The second driving mechanism 22 comprises a second transmission gear box 222 affixed to the motor mount 211 and suspending in the longitudinal channel 120 of the elongated axle holder 12, a second reciprocating rod 2221 coupled to and axially movable in and out of the second transmission gear box 222 in the longitudinal channel 120 of the elongated axle holder 12, an elongated link 223 having a plurality of transverse through holes 2231 respectively coupled with the distal end of the second reciprocating rod 2221 and the protruded actuating portions 1221 of the transverse rods 122 of the elongated axle holder 12 by respective pivot pins 224, and a second motor 221 fixedly mounted on the motor mount 211 and coupled with the transmission gear of the second transmission gear box 222 and operable to move the second reciprocating rod 2221 in and out of the second transmission gear box 222.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 and FIG. 4 again, by means of operating the first motor 213 to move the first reciprocating rod 2141 in and out of the first transmission gear box 214, the curved link 212 is forced to bias the elongated axle holder 12 alternatively back and forth in the X-axis direction; by means of operating the second motor 221 to move the second reciprocating rod 2221 in and out of the second transmission gear box 222, the elongated link 223 is forced to bias the elongated axle holder 12 alternatively back and forth in the Y-axis direction.

FIG. 8 illustrates a solar panel sun-tracing equipment in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first embodiment with the exception of the first driving mechanism 21 of the power drive 2. According to this second embodiment, the first driving mechanism 21 comprises a motor mount 211 mounted in the axle block 111 of one stand 11 of the support stand unit 1, a first motor 213 fixedly mounted on the motor mount 211, a worm gear 214 a coupled to the first motor 213 through a speed reduction gear (not shown), and a sector gear 212 a fixedly mounted on the elongated axle holder 12 and meshed with the worm gear 214 a. When starting up the first motor 213 to rotate the speed reduction gear, the worm gear 214 a is driven to move the sector gear 212 a, thereby biasing the elongated axle holder 12 and the solar panels 3.

FIG. 9 illustrates a solar panel sun-tracing equipment in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. This third embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first embodiment with the exception of the first driving mechanism 21 of the power drive 2. According to this second embodiment, the first driving mechanism 21 comprises a motor mount 211 mounted in the axle block 111 of one stand 11 of the support stand unit 1, a first motor 213 fixedly mounted on the motor mount 211, a driving gear 214 b coupled to the first motor 213 through a speed reduction gear (not shown), and a sector gear 212 a fixedly mounted on the elongated axle holder 12 and meshed with the driving gear 214 b. When starting up the first motor 213 to rotate the speed reduction gear, the driving gear 214 b is driven to move the sector gear 212 a, thereby biasing the elongated axle holder 12 and the solar panels 3.

In conclusion, the invention provides a support stand unit 1 comprising multiple stands 11, an axle holder 12 pivotally supported on the stands 11 and a plurality of transverse rods 122 pivotally mounted in the elongated axle holder 12, a plurality of solar panels 3 supported on the transverse rods 122, and a power drive 2 comprising a first driving mechanism 21 operable to move the elongated axle holder 12 in biasing the solar panels 3 in the X-axis direction and a second driving mechanism 22 operable to move the elongated axle holder 12 in biasing the solar panels 3 in the Y-axis direction

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A solar panel sun-tracing equipment, comprising: a support stand unit comprising a first stand and at least one second stand, each of said first stand and said at least one second stand comprising an axle block located on a top side thereof, an elongated axle holder pivotally supported on said axle blocks of said stands and a plurality of transverse rods pivotally mounted in said elongated axle holder and spaced along the length of said elongated axle holder; a plurality of solar panels respectively supported on said transverse rods and symmetrically disposed at two opposite lateral sides relative to said elongated axle holder; and a power drive comprising a first driving mechanism adapted for rotating said elongated axle holder to bias said solar panels in a first direction and a second driving mechanism adapted for rotating said transverse rods to bias said solar panels in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction.
 2. The solar panel sun-tracing equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axle block of said first stand comprises a pivot hole; the axle block of each said second stand comprises an axle bearing; said elongated axle holder comprises a longitudinal channel extending along the length thereof, a pivot pin axially extended from one end thereof and pivotally coupled to the pivot hole of the axle block of said first stand, a plurality of transverse openings spaced along the length thereof and extending across said longitudinal channel, a plurality of bearing blocks respectively disposed in said longitudinal channel corresponding to said transverse openings and respectively pivotally coupled to the axle bearing at the axle block of each said second stand.
 3. The solar panel sun-tracing equipment as claimed in claim 2, wherein the axle block of each said second stand comprises two circular arc cambers bilaterally disposed at a top side thereof corresponding to one respective transverse opening of said elongated axle holder.
 4. The solar panel sun-tracing equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first driving mechanism comprises a motor mount mounted in the axle block of said first stand of said support stand unit, a first transmission gear box affixed to said motor mount, a first reciprocating rod coupled to and axially movable in and out of said first transmission gear box, a first motor fixedly mounted on said motor mount and coupled with a transmission gear of said first transmission gear box and operable to move said first reciprocating rod in and out of said first transmission gear box, and a curved link having one end thereof pivotally connected to a distal end of said first reciprocating rod by a pivot and an opposite end thereof fixedly connected with said elongated axle holder.
 5. The solar panel sun-tracing equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first driving mechanism comprises a motor mount mounted in the axle block of said first stand of said support stand unit, a first motor fixedly mounted on said motor mount, a worm gear coupled to said first motor through a speed reduction gear, and a sector gear fixedly mounted on said elongated axle holder and meshed with said worm gear.
 6. The solar panel sun-tracing equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first driving mechanism comprises a motor mount mounted in the axle block of said first stand of said support stand unit, a first motor fixedly mounted on said motor mount, a driving gear coupled to said first motor through a speed reduction gear, and a sector gear fixedly mounted on said elongated axle holder and meshed with said driving gear.
 7. The solar panel sun-tracing equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second driving mechanism is mounted in the longitudinal channel of said elongated axle holder, comprising a second transmission gear box, a second reciprocating rod coupled to and axially movable in and out of said second transmission gear box in the longitudinal channel of said elongated axle holder for biasing said transverse rods.
 8. The solar panel sun-tracing equipment as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second driving mechanism further comprises an elongated link coupled between said second reciprocating rod and said transverse rods, said elongated link having a transverse through hole located on one end thereof and pivotally coupled to distal end of said second reciprocating rod by a pivot pin.
 9. The solar panel sun-tracing equipment as claimed in claim 7, wherein each transverse rod of said elongated axle holder comprises protruded actuating portion; said second driving mechanism further comprises an elongated link coupled between said second reciprocating rod and said transverse rods, said elongated link comprising a plurality of transverse through holes respectively coupled with a distal end of said second reciprocating rod and the protruded actuating portions of said transverse rods of said elongated axle holder by respective pivot pins.
 10. The solar panel sun-tracing equipment as claimed in claim 7, wherein said elongated axle holder comprises a plurality of supporting blocks respectively disposed in said longitudinal channel and spaced from one another along said longitudinal channel at a predetermined distance, each said supporting block having two transverse through holes disposed at two opposite lateral sides thereof for the mounting of one said transverse rod.
 11. The solar panel sun-tracing equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support stand unit further comprises a plurality of brackets respectively fastened to two opposite ends of each of said transverse rods for supporting said solar panels. 